Controller and display device including the same

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a display device including a display panel having a plurality of pixels, the display panel including a first display area having first resolution and a second display area having second resolution, the second resolution being lower than the first resolution, and a controller configured to generate border information of pixels provided in a border area located within a predetermined range from the border between the first display area and the second display area, to correct an image that is displayed in the border area based on the border information, and to perform control such that the corrected image is displayed on the display panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to the Korean PatentApplication Nos. 10-2019-0100425 filed on Aug. 16, 2019 and10-2020-0097265 filed on Aug. 4, 2020, which are hereby incorporated byreferences as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a controller and a display deviceincluding the same.

BACKGROUND

An electronic module, such as a camera module or a sensor module, may bemounted or installed in a display device. In the case in which anelectronic module, such as a camera module or a sensor module, ismounted or installed in a display device, a camera hole may be formed inthe display device, and the camera module may be disposed in the camerahole.

The camera hole may be disposed in a display area of the display device,in which an image is displayed. In this case, no image is displayed inthe area in which the camera hole is formed, whereby the image displayedon the display device may be interrupted, which may be recognized by auser.

In addition, the camera hole may be disposed in a bezel area of thedisplay device, in which case the bezel area increases.

SUMMARY

Therefore, the present disclosure relates to a controller that iscapable of preventing problems resulting from limitations andshortcomings of the related art described above and a display deviceincluding the same.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a controllercapable of performing control such that an image is displayed even in anarea disposed so as to overlap a camera and a display device includingthe same.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a controllercapable of efficiently controlling information about pixels provided inan area disposed so as to overlap a camera and a display deviceincluding the same.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a controllercapable of controlling an image that is displayed in an area disposed soas to overlap a camera and a display device including the same.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a controllercapable of preventing the occurrence of color difference at the borderbetween a general display area and an area disposed so as to overlap acamera and a display device including the same.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, the above andother objects can be accomplished by the provision of a display deviceincluding a display panel having a plurality of pixels, the displaypanel including a first display area having first resolution and asecond display area having second resolution, the second resolutionbeing lower than the first resolution, and a controller configured togenerate border information of pixels provided in a border area locatedwithin a predetermined range from the border between the first displayarea and the second display area, to correct an image that is displayedin the border area based on the border information, and to performcontrol such that the corrected image is displayed on the display panel.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided a controller including a border information generation unitconfigured to generate border information of pixels provided in a borderarea located within a predetermined range from the border between afirst display area and a second display area having lower resolutionthan the first display area based on shape information of the seconddisplay area, an image processing unit configured to adjust luminance ofimage data of the border area based on the border information, and acontrol unit configured to perform control such that an image having theadjusted luminance is displayed on a display panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of thepresent disclosure will be more clearly understood from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing the construction of a displaydevice according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a display panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing pixels provided in area A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view showing the construction of a memory and a controller;

FIG. 5A is a view illustrating a starting point and vertical length anddirection information of a second display area when the second displayarea has a U shape;

FIG. 5B is a view illustrating a starting point and vertical length anddirection information of a second display area when the second displayarea has a circular shape;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating left border information and right borderinformation;

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a second display area having a Ushape;

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of shape information of the seconddisplay area shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a border pixel;

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of display area information of eachof a plurality of subpixels;

FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of a border area and borderinformation of each of a plurality of pixels;

FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of a kernel;

FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of the construction of an imageprocessing unit of FIG. 4;

FIG. 14 is a view showing an example in which luminance of an image isadjusted by the image processing unit;

FIG. 15 is a view showing another example in which luminance of an imageis adjusted by the image processing unit;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing the construction of a displaydevice 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 2is a plan view schematically showing a display panel of FIG. 1, and FIG.3 is an enlarged view showing pixels provided in area A of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the display device 100 according to theembodiment of the present disclosure includes a display panel 110, anoptical module 120, a panel driving unit 130, an optical driving unit140, a controller 150, and a memory 160.

The display panel 110 includes a plurality of pixels, and displays acolor image. The display panel 110 may be realized using an organiclight-emitting display panel, a liquid crystal display panel, a plasmadisplay panel, a quantum dot light-emitting display panel, or anelectrophoretic display panel.

The display panel 110 may be divided into a display area DA, in whichpixels are formed to display an image, and a non-display area NDA, whichdisplays no image.

The non-display area NDA may be disposed so as to surround the displayarea DA. The panel driving unit 130, which supplies various kinds ofsignals to a plurality of signal lines in the display area DA, and alink unit (not shown), configured to connect the panel driving unit 130and the plurality of signal lines to each other, may be formed in thenon-display area NDA.

In the display area DA, a plurality of pixels is disposed to display animage. As shown in FIG. 2, the display area DA includes a first displayarea DA1 and a second display area DA2.

The first display area DA1 is an area that does not overlap an area CA,in which the optical module 120 is disposed, and displays an imageirrespective of operation of the optical module 120. The first displayarea DA1 may be formed so as to have a large size.

A plurality of first pixels P1, each of which includes at least twofirst subpixels SP1, may be provided in the first display area DA1. Eachof the plurality of first pixels P1 may include a light-emitting pixel.Specifically, each of the at least two first subpixels SP1, included ineach of the first pixels P1, may be a light-emitting subpixel includinga light-emitting device to emit a predetermined color of light. Each ofthe first pixels P1 may include at least two of a red subpixelconfigured to emit red light, a green subpixel configured to emit greenlight, and a blue subpixel configured to emit blue light. As an example,one of the first pixels P1 may include a red subpixel and a greensubpixel, and an adjacent one of the first pixels P1 may include a bluesubpixel and a green subpixel. As another example, each of the firstpixels P1 may include a red subpixel, a green subpixel, and a bluesubpixel.

The second display area DA2 overlaps the area CA, in which the opticalmodule 120 is disposed, and an image to be displayed in the seconddisplay area DA2 may be decided depending on whether or not the opticalmodule 120 is operated. Specifically, in the case in which the opticalmodule 120 is not operated, the second display area DA2 may display animage together with the first display area DA1. In the case in which theoptical module 120 is operated, on the other hand, the second displayarea DA2 may display no image or may display a black image. At thistime, an image may be displayed in the first display area DA1.

The size, position, and shape of the second display area DA2 may bedecided in consideration of the optical module 120. The second displayarea DA2 may be provided at the position corresponding to the opticalmodule 120. In addition, the second display area DA2 may be provided soas to have a size including therein the area CA, in which the opticalmodule 120 is disposed.

A plurality of second pixels P2, each of which includes at least twosecond subpixels SP2, may be provided in the second display area DA2. Inthe second display area DA2, the plurality of second pixels P2 mayinclude light-emitting pixels and non-light-emitting pixels, unlike thefirst display area DA1. Each of the light-emitting pixels may be an areaincluding a light-emitting device to emit light, and each of thenon-light-emitting pixels may be an area including no light-emittingdevice and transmitting external light. That is, areas including nolight-emitting devices and transmitting external light may be providedin the second display area DA2, unlike the first display area DA1.

Each of the at least two second subpixels SP2, included in each of thelight-emitting pixels, among the second pixels P2, may be alight-emitting subpixel including a light-emitting device to emit apredetermined color of light. Each of the light-emitting pixels, amongthe second pixels P2, may include at least two of a red subpixelconfigured to emit red light, a green subpixel configured to emit greenlight, and a blue subpixel configured to emit blue light. As an example,one of the light-emitting pixels, among the second pixels P2, mayinclude a red subpixel and a green subpixel, and an adjacent one of thelight-emitting pixels, among the second pixels P2, may include a bluesubpixel and a green subpixel. As another example, each of thelight-emitting pixels, among the second pixels P2, may include a redsubpixel, a green subpixel, and a blue subpixel.

Each of the at least two second subpixels SP2, included in each of thenon-light-emitting pixels, among the second pixels P2, may be anon-light-emitting subpixel including no light-emitting device andtransmitting external light.

As a result, the number of light-emitting subpixels provided in a unitpixel area UPA of the second display area DA2 may be less than thenumber of light-emitting subpixels provided in the unit pixel area UPAof the first display area DA1. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, fourlight-emitting subpixels may be provided in the unit pixel area UPA ofthe second display area DA2, whereas 16 light-emitting subpixels may beprovided in the unit pixel area UPA of the first display area DA1.

Light transmittance of the second display area DA2 may be changeddepending on the number of light-emitting subpixels provided in the unitpixel area UPA thereof. In the case in which the number oflight-emitting subpixels provided in the unit pixel area UPA isincreased, luminance and resolution of the second display area DA2 mayincrease, whereas light transmittance of the second display area DA2 maydecrease. In the case in which the number of light-emitting subpixelsprovided in the unit pixel area UPA is decreased, on the other hand,luminance and resolution of the second display area DA2 may decrease,whereas light transmittance of the second display area DA2 may increase.In a display panel 110 according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the number of light-emitting subpixels may be decided inconsideration of luminance, resolution, and light transmittance of thesecond display area DA2.

The first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2, describedabove, may be different in transmittance and resolution from each other.The first display area DA1 may have first transmittance, and the seconddisplay area DA2 may have second transmittance, which is higher than thefirst transmittance. In addition, the first display area DA1 may havefirst resolution, and the second display area DA2 may have secondresolution, which is lower than the first resolution.

The optical module 120 may be disposed at the rear surface of thedisplay panel 110. The optical module 120 may be provided so as tooverlap the display area DA, specifically the second display area DA2,of the display panel 110. The optical module 120 may include allcomponents configured to use external light input through the displaypanel 110. For example, the optical module 120 may be a camera. However,the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The optical module 120may be an ambient light sensor or a fingerprint sensor.

The panel driving unit 130 controls driving of the display panel 110based on a control signal received from the controller 150. To this end,the panel driving unit 130 includes a gate driving unit and a datadriving unit.

The gate driving unit generates gate signals for driving gate lines ofthe display panel 110 in response to a gate control signal received fromthe controller 150. The gate driving unit supplies the generated gatesignals to the subpixels SP1 and SP2 of the pixels P1 and P2 included inthe display panel 110 via the gate lines.

The data driving unit receives a data control signal and an image datasignal from the controller 150. The data driving unit converts adigital-type image data signal into an analog-type image data signal inresponse to the data control signal received from the controller 150.The data driving unit supplies the converted image data signal to thesubpixels SP1 and SP2 of the pixels P1 and P2 included in the displaypanel 110 via data lines.

The optical driving unit 140 controls driving of the optical module 120based on a control signal received from the controller 150.

The memory 160 stores shape information of the second display area DA2.The shape information of the second display area DA2 includes positioninformation of a starting point, vertical length information of thesecond display area, and line-based direction information and widthinformation indicating the border of the second display area.

The controller 150 changes an image that is displayed in at least one ofthe first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2 of thedisplay panel 110 using the shape information of the second display areaDA2 stored in the memory 160. Specifically, the controller 150 maygenerate display area information and border information of each of theplurality of pixels using the shape information of the second displayarea DA2. The controller 150 may change an image that is displayed onthe display panel 110 using at least one of the display area informationand the border information of each of the plurality of pixels, and mayperform control such that the corrected image is displayed on thedisplay panel 110.

Hereinafter, the shape information of the second display area DA2 storedin the memory 160 and information that is generated by the controller150 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 12.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the construction of the memory and thecontroller. FIG. 5A is a view illustrating a starting point and verticallength and direction information of the second display area when thesecond display area has a U shape, FIG. 5B is a view illustrating astarting point and vertical length and direction information of thesecond display area when the second display area has a circular shape,and FIG. 6 is a view illustrating left border information and rightborder information. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a seconddisplay area having a U shape, and FIG. 8 is a view showing an exampleof the shape information of the second display area shown in FIG. 7.FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a border pixel, and FIG. 10 is a viewshowing an example of display area information of each of a plurality ofsubpixels. FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of a border area andborder information of each of a plurality of pixels, and FIG. 12 is aview showing an example of a kernel.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 12, the memory 160 stores the shape informationof the second display area DA2. The controller 150 changes an image thatis displayed in at least one of the first display area DA1 and thesecond display area DA2 of the display panel 110 using the shapeinformation of the second display area DA2 stored in the memory 160.

The shape information of the second display area DA2 may includeposition information of a starting point, vertical length information ofthe second display area DA2, left border information about a left borderlocated at the left side based on a central axis C of the second displayarea DA2, and right border information about a right border located atthe right side based on the central axis C of the second display areaDA2.

The position information of the starting point may include X-axis andY-axis coordinate values at a certain point of the border of the seconddisplay area DA2. One or more starting points may be included dependingon the shape of the second display area DA2.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the second display area DA2 may havea U shape. In the case in which the second display area DA2 has a Ushape, a plurality of starting points may be provided. The startingpoints may include a first starting point S1 located at the left side ofthe central axis C and a second starting point S2 located at the rightside of the central axis C.

Position information of the first starting point S1 may include anX-axis value notch_s1 x of the first starting point S1 and a Y-axisvalue notch_sy of the first starting point S1. Position information ofthe second starting point S2 may include an X-axis value notch_s2 x ofthe second starting point S2 and a Y-axis value notch_sy of the secondstarting point S2. The Y-axis values of the first starting point S1 andthe second starting point S2 may be identical to each other, and theX-axis values of the first starting point S1 and the second startingpoint S2 may be different from each other. However, the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto. Both the Y-axis values and the X-axisvalues of the first starting point S1 and the second starting point S2may be different from each other.

As another example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the second display area DA2 mayhave a circular shape. In the case in which the second display area DA2has a circular shape, a single starting point may be provided. Thestarting point may include a third starting point S3 located at thecentral axis C. Position information of the third starting point S3 mayinclude an X-axis value circle_sx of the third starting point S3 and aY-axis value circle_sy of the third starting point S3.

The vertical length information of the second display area DA2 mayinclude the vertical length of the shape of the second display area DA2.The vertical length of the shape of the second display area DA2 maycorrespond to the difference between the smallest Y-axis value and thelargest Y-axis value, among coordinate values of a plurality of pointsconstituting the border of the second display area DA2. At this time,the y-axis value of the starting point may be the smallest Y-axis valueor the largest Y-axis value.

As an example, in the case in which the second display area DA2 has a Ushape, as shown in FIG. 5A, the vertical length information of thesecond display area DA2 may include the largest value notch_hei, amongvertical lengths between the plurality of points constituting the borderof the second display area DA2 and the first starting point S1.

As another example, in the case in which the second display area DA2 hasa circular shape, as shown in FIG. 5B, the vertical length informationof the second display area DA2 may include the largest value circle_hei,among vertical lengths between the plurality of points constituting theborder of the second display area DA2 and the third starting point S3.

The left border information, which is information about the left borderlocated at the left side based on the central axis C of the seconddisplay area DA2, includes direction information and width informationof each of a plurality of lines disposed within the vertical length fromthe starting point.

The left border information may include direction information and widthinformation of each of a first line, at which the starting point islocated, to an n-th line. At this time, n may correspond to the verticallength of the second display area DA2. For example, the vertical lengthof the second display area DA2 may be 20, in which case the left borderinformation may include direction information and width information ofeach of 20 lines from a first line, at which the starting point islocated, to a 20-th line.

The direction information included in the left border information mayindicate a direction in which the left border located at the left sidebased on the central axis C of the second display area DA2 moves fromthe first line to the n-th line.

Specifically, in the case in which the distance between the central axisC and a left border provided at a previous line is equal to or less thanthe distance between the central axis C and a left border provided at arelevant line, the direction information included in the left borderinformation may have a first direction value. That is, in the case inwhich the left border is parallel to or becomes distant from the centralaxis C, the direction information included in the left borderinformation may have a first direction value.

For example, in the case in which the left border is parallel to thecentral axis C, as shown in FIG. 5A, the direction information includedin the left border information may have a first direction value of 0.Alternatively, in the case in which the left border becomes distant fromthe central axis C, as shown in FIG. 5B, the direction informationincluded in the left border information may have a first direction valueof 0.

In the case in which the distance between the central axis C and theleft border provided at the previous line is greater than the distancebetween the central axis C and the left border provided at the relevantline, the direction information included in the left border informationmay have a second direction value. That is, in the case in which theleft border becomes close to the central axis C, the directioninformation included in the left border information may have a seconddirection value.

For example, in the case in which the left border becomes close to thecentral axis C, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the direction informationincluded in the left border information may have a second directionvalue of 1.

The width information included in the left border information mayinclude the width of the left border at each of the first line to then-th line. At this time, the width may correspond to the number ofpixels or subpixels provided in a relevant line. The width of the leftborder at each of the first line to the n-th line may be sequentiallystored as the width information included in the left border information.

The right border information, which is information about the rightborder located at the right side based on the central axis C of thesecond display area DA2, includes direction information and widthinformation of each of a plurality of lines disposed within the verticallength from the starting point.

The right border information may include direction information and widthinformation of each of a first line, at which the starting point islocated, to an n-th line. At this time, n may correspond to the verticallength of the second display area DA2.

The direction information included in the right border information mayindicate a direction in which the right border located at the right sidebased on the central axis C of the second display area DA2 moves fromthe first line to the n-th line.

Specifically, in the case in which the distance between the central axisC and a right border provided at a previous line is equal to or lessthan the distance between the central axis C and a right border providedat a relevant line, the direction information included in the rightborder information may have a first direction value. That is, in thecase in which the right border is parallel to or becomes distant fromthe central axis C, the direction information included in the rightborder information may have a first direction value.

For example, in the case in which the right border is parallel to thecentral axis C, as shown in FIG. 5A, the direction information includedin the right border information may have a first direction value of 0.Alternatively, in the case in which the right border becomes distantfrom the central axis C, as shown in FIG. 5B, the direction informationincluded in the right border information may have a first directionvalue of 0.

In the case in which the distance between the central axis C and theright border provided at the previous line is greater than the distancebetween the central axis C and the right border provided at the relevantline, the direction information included in the right border informationmay have a second direction value. That is, in the case in which theright border becomes close to the central axis C, the directioninformation included in the right border information may have a seconddirection value.

For example, in the case in which the right border becomes close to thecentral axis C, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the direction informationincluded in the right border information may have a second directionvalue of 1.

The width information included in the right border information mayinclude the width of the right border at each of the first line to then-th line. At this time, the width may correspond to the number ofpixels or subpixels provided in a relevant line. The width of the rightborder at each of the first line to the n-th line may be sequentiallystored as the width information included in the right borderinformation.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate that the first direction value is 0 and thesecond direction value is 1. However, the present disclosure is notlimited thereto. In another embodiment, the first direction value may be1 and the second direction value may be 0.

The left border information and the right border information, describedabove, may be stored in the memory 160 while having a structure shown inFIG. 6. For example, the left border information and the right borderinformation of each of six lines may be stored in 8 bytes.

Direction information of each of three successive lines may be stored in1 byte. For example, in 1 byte, among 8 bytes, direction informationline1 ld of the left border at a first line, direction information line1rd of the right border at the first line, direction information line2 ldof the left border at a second line, direction information line2 rd ofthe right border at the second line, direction information line3 ld ofthe left border at a third line, and direction information line3 rd ofthe right border at the third line may be sequentially stored in 1 biteach.

Width information of each of three successive lines may be stored in 3bytes. For example, in 3 bytes, among 8 bytes, width information of theleft border at the first line, width information of the right border atthe first line, width information of the left border at the second line,width information of the right border at the second line, widthinformation of the left border at the third line, and width informationof the right border at the third line may be sequentially stored in 4bits each.

Direction information of each of three lines following the previouslystored lines may be stored in 1 byte. For example, in 1 byte, among 8bytes, direction information line4 ld of the left border at a fourthline, direction information line4 rd of the right border at the fourthline, direction information line5 ld of the left border at a fifth line,direction information line5 rd of the right border at the fifth line,direction information line6 ld of the left border at a sixth line, anddirection information line6 rd of the right border at the sixth line maybe stored in 1 bit each.

Width information of each of three lines following the previously storedlines may be stored in 3 bytes. For example, in 3 bytes, among 8 bytes,width information of the left border at the fourth line, widthinformation of the right border at the fourth line, width information ofthe left border at the fifth line, width information of the right borderat the fifth line, width information of the left border at the sixthline, and width information of the right border at the sixth line may bestored in 4 bits each.

Hereinafter, concrete examples of the left border information and theright border information will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and8.

The second display area DA2 may have a U shape, as shown in FIG. 7. Inthis case, starting points may include a first starting point S1 locatedat the left side of the central axis C and a second starting point S2located at the right side of the central axis C.

Shape information of the second display area DA2 shown in FIG. 7 mayinclude direction information and width information of each of a firstline, at which the starting points S1 and S2 are located, to an n-thline.

Since the left border at the first line line1, at which the startingpoints S1 and S2 are located, becomes close to the central axis C, thedirection information of the left border at the first line line1 mayhave a second direction value of, for example, 1. In addition, since theright border at the first line line1 becomes close to the central axisC, the direction information of the right border at the first line line1may have a second direction value of, for example, 1.

The width information of the left border at the first line line1 mayindicate the horizontal distance between the leftmost border pixel ofthe first line line1 and the leftmost border pixel of a second lineline2, which is located next thereto. Since the horizontal distancebetween the leftmost border pixel of the first line line1 and theleftmost border pixel of the second line line2 corresponds to sixpixels, the width information of the left border at the first line line1may be 6.

The width information of the right border at the first line line1 mayindicate the horizontal distance between the rightmost border pixel ofthe first line line1 and the rightmost border pixel of the second lineline2, which is located next thereto. Since the horizontal distancebetween the rightmost border pixel of the first line line1 and therightmost border pixel of the second line line2 corresponds to fivepixels, the width information of the right border at the first lineline1 may be 5.

It can be seen based on the width information and the directioninformation of the first line line1 that the leftmost border pixel ofthe second line line2 is disposed at the position of the second lineline2 moved from the leftmost border pixel of the first line line1 tothe central axis C by six pixels. In addition, it can be seen that therightmost border pixel of the second line line2 is disposed at theposition of the second line line2 moved from the rightmost border pixelof the first line line1 to the central axis C by five pixels.

Since the left border at the second line line2 becomes close to thecentral axis C, the direction information of the left border at thesecond line line2 may have a second direction value of, for example, 1.In addition, since the right border at the second line line2 becomesclose to the central axis C, the direction information of the rightborder at the second line line2 may have a second direction value of,for example, 1.

The width information of the left border at the second line line2 mayindicate the horizontal distance between the leftmost border pixel ofthe second line line2 and the leftmost border pixel of a third lineline3, which is located next thereto. Since the horizontal distancebetween the leftmost border pixel of the second line line2 and theleftmost border pixel of the third line line3 corresponds to fourpixels, the width information of the left border at the second lineline2 may be 4.

The width information of the right border at the second line line2 mayindicate the horizontal distance between the rightmost border pixel ofthe second line line2 and the rightmost border pixel of the third lineline3, which is located next thereto. Since the horizontal distancebetween the rightmost border pixel of the second line line2 and therightmost border pixel of the third line line3 corresponds to threepixels, the width information of the right border at the second lineline2 may be 3.

It can be seen based on the width information and the directioninformation of the second line line2 that the leftmost border pixel ofthe third line line3 is disposed at the position of the third line line3moved from the leftmost border pixel of the second line line2 to thecentral axis C by four pixels. In addition, it can be seen that therightmost border pixel of the third line line3 is disposed at theposition of the third line line3 moved from the rightmost border pixelof the second line line2 to the central axis C by three pixels.

The direction information and the width information of each of the thirdline line3 to a sixth line line6 may be set in the same manner as thedirection information and the width information described above. In anembodiment, in the case in which the distance between a border at arelevant line and the central axis C is equal to the distance between aborder at a next line and the central axis C, the width information maybe set to 0. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the distance between theleftmost border pixel of the sixth line line6 and the central axis C maybe equal to the distance between the leftmost border pixel of theseventh line line7 and the central axis C. In this case, the widthinformation of the left border at the sixth line line6 may be set to 0,since the horizontal distance between the leftmost border pixel of theseventh line line7 and the leftmost border pixel of the sixth line line6is 0.

The display device 100 according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure may sequentially store the direction information and thewidth information of each of the first line to the n-th line in thememory 160 in the order of line. The display device 100 according to theembodiment of the present disclosure is capable of easily acquiring theborder of the second display area based only on the position informationof the starting point and the vertical length information, theline-based direction information, and the width information of thesecond display area, since the direction information and the widthinformation of each of the first line to the n-th line are sequentiallystored in the order of line.

Consequently, the display device 100 according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure is capable of minimizing the amount of informationstored in the memory 160, whereby a small-capacity memory 160 may beused. In addition, the display device 100 according to the embodiment ofthe present disclosure is capable of acquiring the border of the seconddisplay area DA2 through simple calculation, whereby computational loadis low in processing for individually controlling the first display areaDA1 and the second display area DA2.

Also, in the display device 100 according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure, it is sufficient to change only the shapeinformation of the second display area DA2 stored in the memory 160,whereby it is possible to easily change the shape of the second displayarea DA2.

Referring back to FIG. 4, the controller 150 generates display areainformation and border information using the shape information of thesecond display area DA2 stored in the memory 160. The controller 150 maycorrect an image that is displayed in at least one of the first displayarea DA1 and the second display area DA2 of the display panel 110 usingthe display area information and the border information, and may performcontrol such that the corrected image is displayed on the display panel110.

To this end, the controller 150 may include a line counting unit 310, aborder pixel extraction unit 330, a display area information generationunit 340, a border information generation unit 350, an image processingunit 360, and a control unit 370.

The line counting unit 310 may count a line value from the first line ofthe display panel 110 in which the plurality of pixels P is provided oneby one, and may provide the counted line value to the border pixelextraction unit 330. The line counting unit 310 may determine whetherthe counted line value corresponds to the first line, at which thestarting point is disposed, using the position information of thestarting point stored in the memory 160. Upon the line counting unit 310determining that the counted line value corresponds to the first line,at which the starting point is disposed, the border pixel extractionunit 330 may retrieve the shape information of the second display areaDA2 from the memory 160.

The border pixel extraction unit 330 may extract the leftmost borderpixel and the rightmost border pixel from a relevant line using theposition information of the starting point, the line-based directioninformation, and the width information stored in the memory 160. Here,the relevant line may be a line corresponding to the line value providedby the line counting unit 310. The leftmost border pixel may be a pixeldisposed at the leftmost side of the relevant line, among the secondpixels P2 provided in the second display area DA2. The rightmost borderpixel may be a pixel disposed at the rightmost side of the relevantline, among the second pixels P2 provided in the second display areaDA2.

The border pixel extraction unit 330 may extract the leftmost borderpixel and the rightmost border pixel of each of the first line, at whichthe starting point is disposed, to the n-th line in the order of line.The border pixel extraction unit 330 may extract the leftmost borderpixel and the rightmost border pixel of a relevant line using theleftmost border pixel and the rightmost border pixel of a previous line,direction information of the previous line, and width information of theprevious line.

Specifically, the line value corresponding to the first line, at whichthe starting point is located, from the line counting unit 310 may beinput to the border pixel extraction unit 330. As shown in FIG. 9, theborder pixel extraction unit 330 may extract the leftmost border pixelBP1 and the rightmost border pixel BP2 of the first line using theposition information of the starting point.

At this time, in the case in which the second display area DA2 has a Ushape, the pixel disposed at the position corresponding to the firststarting point S1 may be the leftmost border pixel BP1, and the pixeldisposed at the position corresponding to the second starting point S2may be the rightmost border pixel BP2. Meanwhile, in the case in whichthe second display area DA2 has a circular shape, unlike what is shownin FIG. 9, the pixel disposed at the position corresponding to thestarting point may be the leftmost border pixel BP1 and the rightmostborder pixel BP2.

The line value corresponding to the second line, which is disposed nextto the first line, from the line counting unit 310 may be input to theborder pixel extraction unit 330. The border pixel extraction unit 330may extract the leftmost border pixel BP3 and the rightmost border pixelBP4 of the second line using the leftmost border pixel BP1 and therightmost border pixel BP2 of the first line, direction information ofthe first line, and width information of the first line.

In the case in which the direction information of the left border of thefirst line has a first direction value, the leftmost border pixel BP3 ofthe second line may be a pixel disposed at the position of the secondline moved from the leftmost border pixel BP1 of the first line in thedirection opposite the central axis C by the number corresponding to thewidth information of the left border of the first line. The Y-axis valueof the leftmost border pixel BP3 of the second line may have a valuehigher by 1 than the Y-axis value of the leftmost border pixel BP1 ofthe first line, and the X-axis value of the leftmost border pixel BP3 ofthe second line may have a value obtained by subtracting the valuecorresponding to the width information of the left border of the firstline from the X-axis value of the leftmost border pixel BP1 of the firstline.

In the case in which the direction information of the left border of thefirst line has a second direction value, the leftmost border pixel BP3of the second line may be a pixel disposed at the position of the secondline moved from the leftmost border pixel BP1 of the first line towardthe central axis C by the number corresponding to the width informationof the left border of the first line. The Y-axis value of the leftmostborder pixel BP3 of the second line may have a value higher by 1 thanthe Y-axis value of the leftmost border pixel BP1 of the first line, andthe X-axis value of the leftmost border pixel BP3 of the second line mayhave a value obtained by adding the value corresponding to the widthinformation of the left border of the first line to the X-axis value ofthe leftmost border pixel BP1 of the first line.

Also, in the case in which the direction information of the right borderof the first line has a first direction value, the rightmost borderpixel BP4 of the second line may be a pixel disposed at the position ofthe second line moved from the rightmost border pixel BP2 of the firstline in the direction opposite the central axis C by the numbercorresponding to the width information of the right border of the firstline. The Y-axis value of the rightmost border pixel BP4 of the secondline may have a value higher by 1 than the Y-axis value of the rightmostborder pixel BP2 of the first line, and the X-axis value of therightmost border pixel BP4 of the second line may have a value obtainedby adding the value corresponding to the width information of the rightborder of the first line to the X-axis value of the rightmost borderpixel BP2 of the first line. In the case in which the directioninformation of the right border of the first line has a second directionvalue, the rightmost border pixel BP4 of the second line may be a pixeldisposed at the position of the second line moved from the rightmostborder pixel BP2 of the first line toward the central axis C by thenumber corresponding to the width information of the right border of thefirst line. The Y-axis value of the rightmost border pixel BP4 of thesecond line may have a value higher by 1 than the Y-axis value of therightmost border pixel BP2 of the first line, and the X-axis value ofthe rightmost border pixel BP4 of the second line may have a valueobtained by subtracting the value corresponding to the width informationof the right border of the first line from the X-axis value of therightmost border pixel BP2 of the first line.

As described above, the border pixel extraction unit 330 may extract theleftmost border pixel and the rightmost border pixel of each of thefirst line to the n-th line.

The display area information generation unit 340 may generate displayarea information of each of the plurality of pixels P using the leftmostborder pixel and the rightmost border pixel of each line.

The display area information generation unit 340 may decide the leftmostborder pixel, the rightmost border pixel, and pixels provided betweenthe leftmost border pixel and the rightmost border pixel, among pixelsprovided in a relevant line, as second pixels P2 provided in the seconddisplay area DA2. The display area information generation unit 340 maydecide pixels other than the leftmost border pixel, the rightmost borderpixel, and the pixels provided between the leftmost border pixel and therightmost border pixel, among the pixels provided in the relevant line,as first pixels P1 provided in the first display area DA1.

The display area information generation unit 340 may set display areainformation of each of the first subpixels SP1 included in the firstpixels P1 to a first display area value. For example, the first displayarea value may be 0, as shown in FIG. 10.

The display area information generation unit 340 may set display areainformation of each of the second subpixels SP2 included in the secondpixels P2 to a second display area value or a third display area value.The display area information generation unit 340 may generates displayarea information in the state of dividing the second pixels P2 providedin the second display area DA2 into light-emitting pixels andnon-light-emitting pixels.

In the case in which the second pixels P2 are light-emitting pixels, thedisplay area information generation unit 340 may set display areainformation of each of the second subpixels SP2 included in thelight-emitting pixels to a second display area value. For example, thesecond display area value may be 1, as shown in FIG. 10.

Meanwhile, in the case in which the second pixels P2 arenon-light-emitting pixels, the display area information generation unit340 may set display area information of each of the second subpixels SP2included in the non-light-emitting pixels to a third display area value.For example, the third display area value may be 2, as shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 illustrates that the second display area DA2 is divided intolight-emitting pixels and non-light-emitting pixels in pixel units.However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The seconddisplay area DA2 may be divided into light-emitting subpixels andnon-light-emitting subpixels in subpixel units. Specifically, aplurality of second subpixels SP2 included in one second pixel P2 mayall be light-emitting subpixels or non-light-emitting subpixels.Alternatively, some of a plurality of second subpixels SP2 included inone second pixel P2 may be light-emitting subpixels, and the others maybe non-light-emitting subpixels.

The border information generation unit 350 may generate borderinformation of pixels provided in a border area BA located within apredetermined range from the border B between the first display area DA1and the second display area DA2 using the leftmost border pixel and therightmost border pixel of each line.

As shown in FIG. 11, the border area BA may include a plurality of firstborder areas BA1 disposed in the first display area DA1. For example,the first border areas BA1 may include a 1-1 border area BA1-1 disposedin the first display area DA1 so as to be adjacent to the border B, a1-2 border area BA1-2 disposed in the first display area DA1 so as to beadjacent to the 1-1 border area BA1-1, and a 1-3 border area BA1-3disposed in the first display area DA1 so as to be adjacent to the 1-2border area BA1-2. At this time, the distance between the 1-2 borderarea BA1-2 and the border B may be greater than the distance between the1-1 border area BA1-1 and the border B, and the distance between the 1-3border area BA1-3 and the border B may be greater than the distancebetween the 1-2 border area BA1-2 and the border B.

FIG. 11 shows that the first display area DA1 includes three borderareas BA1-1, BA1-2, and BA1-3. However, the present disclosure is notlimited thereto. The first display area DA1 may include two borderareas, or may include one border area. Alternatively, the first displayarea DA1 may include four or more border areas.

As shown in FIG. 11, the border area BA may include a plurality ofsecond border areas BA2 disposed in the second display area DA2. Forexample, the second border areas BA2 may include a 2-1 border area BA2-1disposed in the second display area DA2 so as to be adjacent to theborder B, a 2-2 border area BA2-2 disposed in the second display areaDA2 so as to be adjacent to the 2-1 border area BA2-1, and a 2-3 borderarea BA2-3 disposed in the second display area DA2 so as to be adjacentto the 2-2 border area BA2-2. At this time, the distance between the 2-2border area BA2-2 and the border B may be greater than the distancebetween the 2-1 border area BA2-1 and the border B, and the distancebetween the 2-3 border area BA2-3 and the border B may be greater thanthe distance between the 2-2 border area BA2-2 and the border B.

FIG. 11 shows that the second display area DA2 includes three borderareas BA2-1, BA2-2, and BA2-3. However, the present disclosure is notlimited thereto. The second display area DA2 may include two borderareas, or may include one border area. Alternatively, the second displayarea DA2 may include four or more border areas.

The border information generation unit 350 may generate borderinformation of each of the pixels provided in the border area BA using akernel K consisting of m rows and m columns (m being a natural numbergreater than 2). Hereinafter, the kernel K will be described asconsisting of seven rows and seven columns, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12,for convenience of description. However, the present disclosure is notlimited thereto. The size of the kernel K may be changed.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the border information generation unit 350may dispose each of the plurality of pixels P at the center of thekernel K. The border information generation unit 350 may decide a bordervalue of the pixel CP disposed at the center of the kernel K based onthe positions in the kernel K at which a border pixel is disposed. Here,the border pixel, which is a pixel disposed in the second display areaDA2 so as to be adjacent to the first display area DA1, may include theleftmost border pixel and the rightmost border pixel of each line. Inaddition, the border pixel may include pixels provided between theleftmost border pixel and the rightmost border pixel of each of thefirst line to the n-th line.

The border information generation unit 350 may dispose the pixel CP in acentral area of the kernel K, and may confirm the position in the kernelK at which the border pixel is disposed.

In the case in which the kernel K consists of seven rows and sevencolumns, the kernel K may include a central area (0, 0) and eight firstareas (−1, −1), (0, −1), (1, −1), (1, 0), (1, 1), (0, 1), (−1, 1), and(−1, 0) disposed adjacent to the central area so as to surround thecentral area. In addition, the kernel K may include 16 second areas (−2,−2), (−1, −2), (0, −2), (1, −2), (2, −2), (2, −1), (2, 0), (2, 1), (2,2), (1, 2), (0, 2), (−1, 2), (−2, 2), (−2, 1), (−2, 0), and (−2, −1)disposed adjacent to the first areas so as to surround the first areas.In addition, the kernel K may include 24 third areas (−3, −3), (−2, −3),(−1, −3), (0, −3), (1, −3), (2, −3), (2, −3), (3, −3), (3, −2), (3, −1),(3, 0), (3, 1), (3, 2), (3, 3), (2, 3), (1, 3), (0, 3), (−1, 3), (−2,3), (−3, 3), (−3, 2), (−3, 1), (−3, 0), (−3, −1), and (−3, −2) disposedadjacent to the second areas so as to surround the second areas.

The border information generation unit 350 may determine whether thepixel CP disposed in the central area of the kernel K is a first pixelP1 disposed in the first display area DA1 or a second pixel P2 disposedin the second display area DA2. In the case in which the pixel CPdisposed in the central area of the kernel K is a first pixel P1 and theborder pixel is disposed in any one of the 24 third areas of the kernelK, the border information generation unit 350 may set a first bordervalue for the pixel CP disposed in the central area of the kernel K. Forexample, the first border value may be 1.

The border information generation unit 350 may set border information ofeach of the first pixels P1 provided in the 1-3 border area BA1-3 so asto have a first border value of, for example, 1, as shown in FIG. 11.

In the case in which the pixel CP disposed in the central area of thekernel K is a first pixel P1 and the border pixel is disposed in any oneof the 16 second areas of the kernel K, the border informationgeneration unit 350 may set a second border value for the pixel CPdisposed in the central area of the kernel K. For example, the secondborder value may be 2.

The border information generation unit 350 may set border information ofeach of the first pixels P1 provided in the 1-2 border area BA1-2 so asto have a second border value of, for example, 2, as shown in FIG. 11.

In the case in which the pixel CP disposed in the central area of thekernel K is a first pixel P1 and the border pixel is disposed in any oneof the eight first areas of the kernel K, the border informationgeneration unit 350 may set a third border value for the pixel CPdisposed in the central area of the kernel K. For example, the thirdborder value may be 3.

The border information generation unit 350 may set border information ofeach of the first pixels P1 provided in the 1-1 border area BA1-1 so asto have a third border value of, for example, 3, as shown in FIG. 11.

Meanwhile, in the case in which the pixel CP disposed in the centralarea of the kernel K is a second pixel P2 and the border pixel isdisposed in any one of the eight first areas of the kernel K, the borderinformation generation unit 350 may set a fourth border value for thepixel CP disposed in the central area of the kernel K. For example, thefourth border value may be 4.

The border information generation unit 350 may set border information ofeach of the second pixels P2 provided in the 2-1 border area BA2-1 so asto have a fourth border value of, for example, 4, as shown in FIG. 11.

In the case in which the pixel CP disposed in the central area of thekernel K is a second pixel P2 and the border pixel is disposed in anyone of the 16 second areas of the kernel K, the border informationgeneration unit 350 may set a fifth border value for the pixel CPdisposed in the central area of the kernel K. For example, the fifthborder value may be 5.

The border information generation unit 350 may set border information ofeach of the second pixels P2 provided in the 2-2 border area BA2-2 so asto have a fifth border value of, for example, 5, as shown in FIG. 11.

In the case in which the pixel CP disposed in the central area of thekernel K is a second pixel P2 and the border pixel is disposed in anyone of the 24 third areas of the kernel K, the border informationgeneration unit 350 may set a sixth border value for the pixel CPdisposed in the central area of the kernel K. For example, the sixthborder value may be 6.

The border information generation unit 350 may set border information ofeach of the second pixels P2 provided in the 2-3 border area BA2-3 so asto have a sixth border value of, for example, 6, as shown in FIG. 11.

As a result, each of the pixels P provided in the border area BA mayhave a border value that increases or decreases with increasing distancefrom the border pixel. In an embodiment, each of the first pixels P1provided in the first display area DA1, among the pixels P provided inthe border area BA, may have a border value that decreases withincreasing distance from the border pixel. Each of the second pixels P2provided in the second display area DA2, among the pixels P provided inthe border area BA, may have a border value that increases withincreasing distance from the border pixel.

Meanwhile, each of the first pixels P1 and the second pixels P2 providedin the area other than the border area may be set to a seventh bordervalue. For example, the seventh border value may be 0.

The image processing unit 360 changes an image that is displayed on thedisplay panel 110 using the display area information generated by thedisplay area information generation unit 340 and the border informationgenerated by the border information generation unit 350. The imageprocessing unit 360 may change an image that is displayed in the borderarea BA, and may perform control such that the corrected image isdisplayed on the display panel 110.

Hereinafter, an example of the image processing unit 360 will bedescribed in more detail with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15.

FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of the construction of the imageprocessing unit of FIG. 4, FIG. 14 is a view showing an example in whichluminance of an image is adjusted by the image processing unit, and FIG.15 is a view showing another example in which luminance of an image isadjusted by the image processing unit.

Referring to FIGS. 13 to 15, the image processing unit 360 may includean image reception unit 361, an area decision unit 362, and a luminanceadjustment unit 363.

The image reception unit 361 receives image data from an externalsystem. At this time, the received image data may include image data ofthe first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2.

The area decision unit 362 decides image data of the border area BAamong the received image data. Specifically, the area decision unit 362may decide image data of the border area BA among the received imagedata based on the border information generated by the border informationgeneration unit 350.

The area decision unit 362 may decide image data of pixels P, the borderinformation of each of which has a value corresponding to the borderarea BA, as image data of the border area BA. For example, the areadecision unit 362 may decide image data of pixels P, the borderinformation of each of which has a border value greater than 0, as imagedata of the border area BA.

The area decision unit 362 may decide image data of each of a pluralityof border areas BA among the received image data. The border area BA mayinclude a first border area BA1 disposed in the first display area DA1so as to be adjacent to the border B and a second border area BA2disposed in the second display area DA2 so as to be adjacent to theborder B.

The area decision unit 362 may decide image data of each of the firstborder area BA1 and the second border area BA2. The area decision unit362 may decide image data of first pixels P1, the border information ofeach of which has a value corresponding to the first border area BA1, asimage data of the first border area BA1. The area decision unit 362 maydecide image data of second pixels P2, the border information of each ofwhich has a value corresponding to the second border area BA2, as imagedata of the second border area BA2.

In addition, a plurality of first border areas BA1 may be provided. Forexample, the first border area BA1 may include a 1-1 border area BA1-1disposed in the first display area DA1 so as to be adjacent to theborder B, a 1-2 border area BA1-2 disposed in the first display area DA1so as to be adjacent to the 1-1 border area BA1-1, and a 1-3 border areaBA1-3 disposed in the first display area DA1 so as to be adjacent to the1-2 border area BA1-2.

The area decision unit 362 may decide image data of each of theplurality of first border areas BA1-1, BA1-2, and BA1-3. The areadecision unit 362 may decide image data of first pixels P1, the borderinformation of each of which has a value corresponding to the 1-1 borderarea BA1-1, as image data of the 1-1 border area BA1-1. For example, thearea decision unit 362 may decide image data of first pixels P1, theborder information of each of which has a third border value, as imagedata of the 1-1 border area BA1-1.

The area decision unit 362 may decide image data of first pixels P1, theborder information of each of which has a value corresponding to the 1-2border area BA1-2, as image data of the 1-2 border area BA1-2. Forexample, the area decision unit 362 may decide image data of firstpixels P1, the border information of each of which has a second bordervalue, as image data of the 1-2 border area BA1-2.

The area decision unit 362 may decide image data of first pixels P1, theborder information of each of which has a value corresponding to the 1-3border area BA1-3, as image data of the 1-3 border area BA1-3. Forexample, the area decision unit 362 may decide image data of firstpixels P1, the border information of each of which has a first bordervalue, as image data of the 1-3 border area BA1-3.

In addition, a plurality of second border areas BA2 may be provided. Forexample, the second border area BA2 may include a 2-1 border area BA2-1disposed in the second display area DA2 so as to be adjacent to theborder B, a 2-2 border area BA2-2 disposed in the second display areaDA2 so as to be adjacent to the 2-1 border area BA2-1, and a 2-3 borderarea BA2-3 disposed in the second display area DA2 so as to be adjacentto the 2-2 border area BA2-2.

The area decision unit 362 may decide image data of each of theplurality of second border areas BA2-1, BA2-2, and BA2-3. The areadecision unit 362 may decide image data of second pixels P2, the borderinformation of each of which has a value corresponding to the 2-1 borderarea BA2-1, as image data of the 2-1 border area BA2-1. For example, thearea decision unit 362 may decide image data of second pixels P2, theborder information of each of which has a fourth border value, as imagedata of the 2-1 border area BA2-1.

The area decision unit 362 may decide image data of second pixels P2,the border information of each of which has a value corresponding to the2-2 border area BA2-2, as image data of the 2-2 border area BA2-2. Forexample, the area decision unit 362 may decide image data of secondpixels P2, the border information of each of which has a fifth bordervalue, as image data of the 2-2 border area BA2-2.

The area decision unit 362 may decide image data of second pixels P2,the border information of each of which has a value corresponding to the2-3 border area BA2-3, as image data of the 2-3 border area BA2-3. Forexample, the area decision unit 362 may decide image data of secondpixels P2, the border information of each of which has a sixth bordervalue, as image data of the 2-3 border area BA2-3.

Meanwhile, the area decision unit 362 may decide image data of the areaother than the border area BA in the first display area DA1. The areadecision unit 362 may decide image data of first pixels P1, the displayarea information of each of which has a value corresponding to the firstdisplay area DA1 and the border information of each of which is 0, asimage data of the area other than the border area BA in the firstdisplay area DA1.

The area decision unit 362 may decide image data of the area other thanthe border area BA in the second display area DA2. The area decisionunit 362 may decide image data of second pixels P2, the display areainformation of each of which has a value corresponding to the seconddisplay area DA2 and the border information of each of which is 0, asimage data of the area other than the border area BA in the seconddisplay area DA2.

The luminance adjustment unit 363 adjusts the luminance of the receivedimage data. Specifically, the luminance adjustment unit 363 may adjustthe luminance of each of the area other than the border area BA in thefirst display area DA1, the border area BA, and the area other than theborder area BA in the second display area DA2.

The luminance adjustment unit 363 may perform adjustment such that theluminance of image data of the border area BA has a value between theluminance of image data of the area other than the border area BA in thefirst display area DA1 and the luminance of image data of the area otherthan the border area BA in the second display area DA2.

The luminance adjustment unit 363 may perform adjustment such that imagedata of the area other than the border area BA in the first display areaDA1 have first luminance. The luminance adjustment unit 363 may performadjustment such that image data of the area other than the border areaBA in the second display area DA2 have second luminance, which isdifferent from the first luminance.

For example, the second luminance may be higher than the firstluminance. Since the second display area DA2 includes non-light-emittingpixels or non-light-emitting subpixels, the resolution of the seconddisplay area DA2 is lower than the resolution of the first display areaDA1. Consequently, image data applied to the second pixels P2 providedin the second display area DA2 may have higher luminance than image dataapplied to the first pixels P1 provided in the first display area DA1.

In the case in which the first display area DA1 and the second displayarea DA2 are different in luminance from each other, a lining phenomenonand color difference may occur at the border B between the first displayarea DA1 and the second display area DA2 due to the luminance differencebetween the first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2.

In the display device 100 according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the luminance of the border area BA located within apredetermined range from the border B between the first display area DA1and the second display area DA2 is adjusted, whereby it is possible toprevent the occurrence of a lining phenomenon and color difference atthe border B between the first display area DA1 and the second displayarea DA2.

To this end, the luminance adjustment unit 363 may perform adjustmentsuch that image data of the border area BA have third luminance, whichis a value between the first luminance and the second luminance.

For example, in the case in which the second luminance is higher thanthe first luminance, the third luminance may be higher than the firstluminance and may be lower than the second luminance.

The luminance adjustment unit 363 may adjust the luminance of image dataof each of the first border area BA1 and the second border area BA2.Specifically, the luminance adjustment unit 363 may perform adjustmentsuch that the luminance of image data of the first pixels P1 provided inthe first border area BA1 and the luminance of image data of the secondpixels P2 provided in the second border area BA2 are different from eachother.

For example, in the case in which the second luminance is higher thanthe first luminance, the luminance adjustment unit 363 may performadjustment such that the luminance of image data of the first pixels P1provided in the first border area BA1 is lower than the luminance ofimage data of the second pixels P2 provided in the second border areaBA2. Consequently, the luminance of an image displayed on the displaypanel 110 may gradually decrease in the direction from the seconddisplay area DA2 to the first display area DA1. In the display device100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, luminance isnot abruptly changed but is gradually changed between the second displayarea DA2 to the first display area DA1, whereby it is possible toprevent the occurrence of a lining phenomenon and color difference.

Meanwhile, in the case in which the plurality of first border areas BA1is provided, the luminance adjustment unit 363 may adjust the luminanceof image data of each of the plurality of first border areas BA1-1,BA1-2, and BA1-3. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the luminance adjustmentunit 363 may perform adjustment such that the luminance of image data ofeach of the plurality of first border areas BA1-1, BA1-2, and BA1-3gradually increases or decreases with decreasing distance from thesecond display area DA2.

For example, in the case in which the second luminance is higher thanthe first luminance, the luminance adjustment unit 363 may performadjustment such that the luminance of image data of each of theplurality of first border areas BA1-1, BA1-2, and BA1-3 graduallyincreases with decreasing distance from the second display area DA2.

Also, in the case in which the plurality of second border areas BA2 isprovided, the luminance adjustment unit 363 may adjust the luminance ofimage data of each of the plurality of second border areas BA2-1, BA2-2,and BA2-3. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the luminance adjustment unit363 may perform adjustment such that the luminance of image data of eachof the plurality of second border areas BA2-1, BA2-2, and BA2-3gradually increases or decreases with decreasing distance from the firstdisplay area DA1.

For example, in the case in which the second luminance is higher thanthe first luminance, the luminance adjustment unit 363 may performadjustment such that the luminance of image data of each of theplurality of second border areas BA2-1, BA2-2, and BA2-3 graduallydecreases with decreasing distance from the first display area DA1.

In the display device 100 according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure, adjustment is performed such that the luminance of each ofthe plurality of border areas BA gradually decreases or increases,whereby it is possible to minimize the luminance difference between theareas. Consequently, the display device 100 according to the embodimentof the present disclosure is capable of preventing a lining phenomenonthat occurs between the first display area DA1 and the second displayarea DA2, which are different in resolution from each other, from beingrecognized by a user. In addition, the display device 100 according tothe embodiment of the present disclosure is capable of preventing theoccurrence of color difference between the first display area DA1 andthe second display area DA2, which are different in resolution from eachother.

The luminance adjustment unit 363 may independently adjust the luminanceof each of the plurality of first border areas BA1 and the plurality ofsecond border areas BA2.

Furthermore, the luminance adjustment unit 363 may perform adjustmentsuch that luminance is changed depending on the direction in which theborder area BA is disposed based on the central area of the seconddisplay area DA2. For example, the border area BA may include a leftborder area A1 disposed in the leftward direction D1 based on thecentral area of the second display area DA2, a right border area A2disposed in the rightward direction D2 based on the central area of thesecond display area DA2, an upper border area A3 disposed in the upwarddirection D3 based on the central area of the second display area DA2,and a lower border area A4 disposed in the downward direction D4 basedon the central area of the second display area DA2.

As shown in FIG. 15, the border area BA may further include a left upperborder area A5 disposed in the left-upward direction D5 based on thecentral area of the second display area DA2, a right upper border areaA6 disposed in the right-upward direction D6 based on the central areaof the second display area DA2, a right lower border area A7 disposed inthe right-downward direction D7 based on the central area of the seconddisplay area DA2, and a left lower border area A8 disposed in theleft-downward direction D8 based on the central area of the seconddisplay area DA2.

Hereinafter, the border area BA will be described as including the leftborder area A1, the right border area A2, the upper border area A3, andthe lower border area A4 for convenience of description. However, thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto.

The luminance adjustment unit 363 may independently adjust the luminanceof image data of pixels P provided in each of the left border area A1,the right border area A2, the upper border area A3, and the lower borderarea A4.

Specifically, the luminance adjustment unit 363 may perform adjustmentsuch that the luminance of image data of each of the left border areaA1, the right border area A2, the upper border area A3, and the lowerborder area A4 has a value between the first luminance of image data ofthe area other than the border area BA in the first display area DA1 andthe second luminance of image data of the area other than the borderarea BA in the second display area DA2.

The luminance adjustment unit 363 may perform adjustment such that imagedata of the left border area A1 have fourth luminance, which is a valuebetween the first luminance and the second luminance. The luminanceadjustment unit 363 may perform adjustment such that image data of theright border area A2 have fifth luminance, which is a value between thefirst luminance and the second luminance. The luminance adjustment unit363 may perform adjustment such that image data of the upper border areaA3 have sixth luminance, which is a value between the first luminanceand the second luminance. The luminance adjustment unit 363 may performadjustment such that image data of the lower border area A4 have seventhluminance, which is a value between the first luminance and the secondluminance.

Although each of the fourth luminance, the fifth luminance, the sixthluminance, and the seventh luminance has a value between the firstluminance and the second luminance, all may have different values, orsome may have the same value while some may have different values. Thatis, the luminance adjustment unit 363 may independently adjust theluminance of image data of each of the left border area A1, the rightborder area A2, the upper border area A3, and the lower border area A4.

More specifically, a luminance change value of each of the left borderarea A1, the right border area A2, the upper border area A3, and thelower border area A4 may be preset. A first luminance change value maybe set for the left border area A1, a second luminance change value maybe set for the right border area A2, a third luminance change value maybe set for the upper border area A3, and a fourth luminance change valuemay be set for the lower border area A4.

At this time, the first luminance change value, the second luminancechange value, the third luminance change value, and the fourth luminancechange value may be decided in consideration of the pitch between thepixels P. The first luminance change value may be decided based on thepitch between one pixel P and an adjacent pixel P disposed in theleftward direction D1. The second luminance change value may be decidedbased on the pitch between one pixel P and an adjacent pixel P disposedin the rightward direction D2. The third luminance change value may bedecided based on the pitch between one pixel P and an adjacent pixel Pdisposed in the upward direction D3. The fourth luminance change valuemay be decided based on the pitch between one pixel P and an adjacentpixel P disposed in the downward direction D4.

For example, the luminance change value may be proportional to the pitchbetween the pixels P. In the case in which the pitch between the pixelsP is large, the luminance change value may increase. In the case inwhich the pitch between the pixels P is small, on the other hand, theluminance change value may decrease.

The luminance adjustment unit 363 may adjust the luminance of image dataof pixels P provided in a relevant border area BA by reflecting aluminance change value set for the relevant border area BA in the imagedata of the pixels P provided in the relevant border area BA.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, each of the left border area A1,the right border area A2, the upper border area A3, and the lower borderarea A4 may be divided into a plurality of border areas. For example,each of the left border area A1, the right border area A2, the upperborder area A3, and the lower border area A4 may include a first borderarea BA1 disposed in the first display area DA1 so as to be adjacent tothe border B and a second border area BA2 disposed in the second displayarea DA2 so as to be adjacent to the border B. At this time, a pluralityof first border areas BA1 may be provided, and a plurality of secondborder areas BA2 may also be provided.

The luminance adjustment unit 363 may independently adjust the luminanceof each of the plurality of first border areas BA1 and the plurality ofsecond border areas BA2, as previously described. In this case, theluminance change value may include a plurality of values for theplurality of first border areas BA1 and the plurality of second borderareas BA2.

For example, each of the left border area A1, the right border area A2,the upper border area A3, and the lower border area A4 may include threefirst border areas BA1 and three second border areas BA2. At this time,the first luminance change value for the left border area A1 may includevalues for the three first border areas BA1 and values for the threesecond border areas BA2, i.e. six luminance change values. As a result,the luminance adjustment unit 363 may set 24 luminance change values forthe 24 border areas. The luminance adjustment unit 363 may adjust theluminance of image data of each of the 24 border areas using the setluminance change values.

The control unit 370 performs control such that the corrected image isdisplayed on the display panel 110. To this end, the control unit 370may generate a control signal for controlling the panel driving unit130. The control unit 370 may generate a data control signal forcontrolling the data driving unit of the panel driving unit 130 and agate control signal for controlling the gate driving unit of the paneldriving unit 130. The control unit 370 may output the data controlsignal, the gate control signal, and an image data signal to the paneldriving unit 130.

The control unit 370 may control the operation of the optical module120. To this end, the control unit 370 may generate a control signal forcontrolling the optical driving unit 140, and may output the generatedcontrol signal to the optical driving unit 140.

As is apparent from the above description, it is possible to display animage even in an area disposed so as to overlap a camera. In the presentdisclosure, therefore, it is possible to provide a wide image displaysurface and to prevent an image from being interrupted in an area inwhich the camera is disposed.

In addition, according to the present disclosure, it is possible tostore shape information of the area disposed so as to overlap the cameraand to acquire display area information and border information of eachof a plurality of pixels using the shape information. In the presentdisclosure, therefore, it is sufficient to change only the shapeinformation of the area disposed so as to overlap the camera stored inthe memory even in the case in which the size, position, etc. of thecamera is changed, whereby it is possible to easily change the shape ofthe area disposed so as to overlap the camera.

In addition, according to the present disclosure, it is possible toeasily acquire the border of the area disposed so as to overlap thecamera based only on position information of a starting point andvertical length information, line-based direction information, and widthinformation of the area disposed so as to overlap the camera. In thepresent disclosure, therefore, it is possible to minimize the amount ofinformation stored in the memory, whereby it is possible to use asmall-capacity memory.

In addition, according to the present disclosure, it is possible toacquire the border of the area disposed so as to overlap the camerathrough simple calculation, whereby computational load is low inprocessing for individually controlling a general display area and adisplay area disposed so as to overlap the camera.

In addition, according to the present disclosure, adjustment isperformed such that the luminance of each of a plurality of border areasgradually decreases or increases, whereby it is possible to minimize theluminance difference between the areas. In the present disclosure,therefore, it is possible to prevent a lining phenomenon that occursbetween display areas having different resolutions from being recognizedby a user.

In addition, according to the present disclosure, it is possible toprevent the occurrence of color difference between display areas havingdifferent resolutions.

It should be noted that the effects of the present disclosure are notlimited to the effects mentioned above, and other unmentioned effectswill be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the abovedescription of the present disclosure.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure maybe embodied in specific forms other than those set forth herein withoutdeparting from the technical idea and essential characteristics of thepresent disclosure.

For example, a data driving device according to the present disclosuremay be realized in the form of an IC, and the function of the datadriving device may be installed in the IC in the form of a program. Inthe case in which the function of the data driving device according tothe present disclosure is realized as a program, the function of eachcomponent included in the data driving device may be realized asspecific code, and code for realizing a specific function may berealized as a single program or as a plurality of divided programs.

Therefore, the above embodiments are therefore to be construed in allaspects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the presentdisclosure is defined by the following claims, rather than the detaileddescription, and it is intended that all variations or modificationsderived from the meaning, scope, and equivalent concept of the claimsfall within the scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a display panel having a plurality of pixels, the display panel comprising a first display area having first resolution and a second display area having second resolution, the second resolution being lower than the first resolution; and a controller configured to generate border information of pixels provided in a border area located within a predetermined range from a border between the first display area and the second display area, to change an image that is displayed in the border area based on the border information, and to perform control such that the changed image is displayed on the display panel.
 2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the controller adjusts luminance of image data of the pixels provided in the border area.
 3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the controller performs adjustment such that luminance of image data of the pixels provided in the border area has a value between luminance of image data of pixels provided in an area other than the border area in the first display area and luminance of image data of pixels provided in an area other than the border area in the second display area.
 4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein the controller performs adjustment such that the luminance of the image data of the pixels provided in the border area has a value higher than luminance of an image displayed in the area other than the border area in the first display area and lower than luminance of an image displayed in the area other than the border area in the second display area.
 5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the border area comprises a first border area disposed in the first display area so as to be adjacent to the border and a second border area disposed in the second display area so as to be adjacent to the border.
 6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein the controller performs adjustment such that luminance of image data of pixels provided in the first border area and luminance of image data of pixels provided in the second border area have different values.
 7. The display device according to claim 6, wherein the controller performs adjustment such that the luminance of the image data of the pixels provided in the first border area has a lower value than the luminance of the image data of the pixels provided in the second border area.
 8. The display device according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of first border areas is provided, and the controller performs adjustment such that luminance of image data of pixels provided in each of the plurality of first border areas gradually increases with decreasing distance from the second display area.
 9. The display device according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of second border areas is provided, and the controller performs adjustment such that luminance of image data of pixels provided in each of the plurality of second border areas gradually decreases with decreasing distance from the first display area.
 10. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the border area comprises an upper border area disposed in an upward direction based on a central area of the second display area, a lower border area disposed in a downward direction based on the central area of the second display area, a left border area disposed in a leftward direction based on the central area of the second display area, and a right border area disposed in a rightward direction based on the central area of the second display area, and the controller independently adjusts luminance of image data of pixels provided in each of the upper border area, the lower border area, the left border area, and the right border area.
 11. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: a memory configured to store shape information of the second display area comprising position information of a starting point, vertical length information of the second display area, and line-based direction information and width information for indicating a border of the second display area, wherein the controller generates the border information of the pixels provided in the border area using the shape information of the second display area.
 12. The display device according to claim 11, wherein the border information comprises a border value of each of a plurality of pixels decided based on a position in a kernel consisting of m rows and m columns (m being a natural number greater than 2) at which a border pixel is disposed.
 13. The display device according to claim 12, wherein the controller extracts a border pixel of each line based on the position information of the starting point, the line-based direction information, and the width information, and decides a border value of a pixel disposed at a center of the kernel based on a position in the kernel at which the border pixel is disposed.
 14. The display device according to claim 13, wherein pixels provided in the first display area, among the plurality of pixels provided in the border area, have border values that decrease with increasing distance from the border pixel, and pixels provided in the second display area, among the plurality of pixels provided in the border area, have border values that increase with increasing distance from the border pixel.
 15. The display device according to claim 13, wherein the controller performs adjustment such that image data of pixels having an identical border value have identical luminance.
 16. The display device according to claim 13, wherein the controller performs adjustment such that luminance of image data of each of the pixels provided in the border area is proportional to the border value.
 17. A controller comprising: a border information generation unit configured to generate border information of pixels provided in a border area located within a predetermined range from a border between a first display area and a second display area having lower resolution than the first display area based on shape information of the second display area; an image processing unit configured to adjust luminance of image data of the border area based on the border information; and a control unit configured to perform control such that an image having the adjusted luminance is displayed on a display panel.
 18. The controller according to claim 17, wherein the image processing unit comprises an area decision unit configured to decide image data of pixels, the border information of each of which has a border value greater than 0, among input image data, as image data of the border area.
 19. The controller according to claim 17, wherein the image processing unit comprises a luminance adjustment unit configured to perform adjustment such that image data of pixels provided in an area other than the border area in the first display area have first luminance, image data of pixels provided in an area other than the border area in the second display area have second luminance, the second luminance being higher than the first luminance, and image data of pixels provided in the border area have third luminance, the third luminance being between the first luminance and the second luminance.
 20. The controller according to claim 19, wherein the border area comprises a first border area disposed in the first display area so as to be adjacent to the border and a second border area disposed in the second display area so as to be adjacent to the border, and the luminance adjustment unit performs adjustment such that luminance of image data of pixels provided in the first border area has a lower value than luminance of image data of pixels provided in the second border area.
 21. The controller according to claim 20, wherein a plurality of first border areas is provided, and the luminance adjustment unit performs adjustment such that luminance of image data of pixels provided in each of the plurality of first border areas gradually increases with decreasing distance from the second display area.
 22. The controller according to claim 20, wherein a plurality of second border areas is provided, and the luminance adjustment unit performs adjustment such that luminance of image data of pixels provided in each of the plurality of second border areas gradually decreases with decreasing distance from the first display area. 